Helicopter designer and pilot dead after crash near Okotoks
By MADELINE SMITH StarMetro Calgary
Mon., July 16, 2018
CALGARY—An Alberta designer of lightweight helicopters is dead after a crash northeast of Okotoks, Alta., on Sunday.
John Uptigrove was the pilot of the ultralight helicopter that went down around 5:30 p.m., according to his business partner Dwight Junkin, the owner of Composite FX in Trenton, Fla.
RCMP say fishermen called police after they saw the helicopter crash, and the 54-year-old pilot, from Rocky View County, was the only person on board. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Uptigrove’s company, Innovator Technologies, designed a line of helicopters called Mosquito, and Junkin’s company produced and distributed the parts and kits for owners to build their own helicopters.
A statement from Junkin’s company offers condolences and asks the “Mosquito community” to be respectful of Uptigrove’s family.
RIP Mate, Always followed these machines with a keen interest.